Self-cleaning surfaces

ABSTRACT

New forms of self-sterilizing and antiseptic surfaces are provided. In some embodiments, a handled surface or GUI comprises internal hardware performing a heavy rinse of the handled surface triggered by an end-of-use function. In other embodiments, pressure on a handled surface instead causes the surface to uniformly exude water and other antiseptic compositions from a refillable source.

RELATED APPLICATION DATA

This application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/815,972, filed Mar. 8, 2013, the entire contentsof which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety into thepresent application. This application is also a continuation-in-part ofco-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/745,833, filed Jan. 20,2013. This application claims the benefit of and claims priority to U.S.application Ser. No. 13/815,972, filed Mar. 8, 2013, and to U.S.application Ser. No. 13/745,833, filed Jan. 20, 2013.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of fluid circulationtechnologies and antiseptic surfaces.

BACKGROUND

Indoor plumbing including metal pipes dates at least to ancient Rome.The Romans also implemented hot water heating systems, calledhypocausts, which were used extensively in large communal baths. See,e.g., Nova Online, Secrets of Lost Empires, Roman Bath, A Day at theBaths, Part 6 (Caldarium) November 2000, available athttp://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/lostempires/roman/day.html, accessed Mar.17, 2013.

Modern plumbing systems implement many of the same techniques pioneeredin Ancient Rome. As in Ancient Rome, hot water “burners” heat acontainer of water from below to elevate its temperature in buildings inthe United States. Modern systems also use pipes to deliver water, withsome refinements in materials and workmanship to improve theirperformance. Metal pipes, such as copper or brass, are still in use, buteffective advanced materials have also been developed, such ascross-linked polyethylene (“PEX”). In the plumbing industry, copperpipes are still heralded as having many advantages over PEX, includinggreater durability (especially in outdoor environments) and resistanceto contamination.

In homes with longer distances between hot water burners (and theirassociated hot water storage tanks) and served fixtures, the connectingpipes have enough length to create a substantial hot water service lag.After opening a hot water tap, hot water in the associated pipe hascooled in the wall over its entire length outside of the tank, and auser must wait until new hot water from the tank reaches the fixture. Tocombat this lag, hot water recirculation systems have been developed. Intheir simplest form, hot water recirculation systems may create a shortbridge between the hot and cold services (typically, at the fixture inthe circuit farthest away from the tank) to continuously supply new hotwater to the points of service. A pump may be used, or, if the pipes arearranged properly (hot water service pipe at a lower level) the systemmay move water through the circuit continuously as a heat siphon. Morecomplex systems for hot water recirculation involve additional pipes runout to fixtures, to complete such “on demand” hot water availability.Another form of lag-reduction technology is known as a “Home Run” or“manifold” system, where much smaller gauge pipes are run out to eachfixture, individually, to reduce the amount of water to clear when a hotwater tap is opened, and, therefore, the amount of hot water lag inusing one fixture. However, home run systems may, ironically, create lagin some instances due to their separated structure, such as whenmultiple fixtures are in use on or about the same time. Nonetheless, allof these systems create substantial convenience for a user.

Antiseptic soaps have also been used in bathrooms, among many otherrooms and uses, for quite some time. In general, hand washing,particularly before consuming or preparing food, is highly recommendedby the medical community as among the best ways to fight the risk ofseveral illnesses, such as the flu.

It should be understood that the disclosures in this application relatedto the background of the invention, in, but not limited to this sectiontitled “Background,” do not necessarily set forth prior art or otherknown aspects exclusively, and may instead include art that was inventedconcurrently or after the present invention and conception, and detailsof the inventor's own discoveries and work results.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

New forms of self-sterilizing and antiseptic surfaces are provided. Insome embodiments, a handled surface or GUI comprises internal hardwareperforming a heavy rinse of the handled surface triggered by anend-of-use function. In other embodiments, pressure on a handled surfaceinstead causes the surface to uniformly exude water and other antisepticcompositions from a refillable source.

A specialized plumbing hardware system that performs new energy- andwater-saving, restorative tasks upon the completion and initiation ofuse is also provided. In some aspects of the invention, energy savinghot water recapturing techniques are provided. For example, uponcompleting use of a hot water service outlet, a control system retractshot water into an insulated hot water heating tank, rather than leavingit in external hot water pipes. In some aspects, the system pushes hotwater through a return channel with trailing cold water, and halts suchpushing after it senses the cold water arrive before the insulated tank,behind the returned hot water. In other aspects, the system may avoiddelivery of requested water through the hot water service outlet unlessand until hot water has arrived at that outlet, through the same bypasscircuit described above. In still other aspects, a user-selectableauxiliary rapid hot water delivery device is provided, such as a localtank or flash copper coil heater near and/or partially in the fixture,or in a specialized pipe, to reduce lag caused by the energy- andwater-saving aspects discussed above, and a user may select additionalenergy and water-saving options and settings, including, but not limitedto, a “Final Rinse” option that may be timed to the user's choosingand/or habits.

In other aspects, a user's completion of use of a plumbing and relatedfixtures triggers an ending rinse of handled parts of those fixturesand, optionally, a soap or antiseptic spray or sweat about such parts.The same technology may be applied to other handles and fixtures, forexample, about contact surfaces on a bathroom door or elevator buttons.

Where any term is set forth in a sentence, clause or statement(“statement”), each possible meaning, significance and/or sense of anyterm used in this application should be read as if separately,conjunctively and/or alternatively set forth in additional statements,as necessary to exhaust the possible meanings of each such term and eachsuch statement.

It should also be understood that, for convenience and readability, thisapplication may set forth particular pronouns and other linguisticqualifiers of various specific gender and number, but, where thisoccurs, all other logically possible gender and number alternativesshould also be read in as both conjunctive and alternative statements,as if equally, separately set forth therein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary fixture—namely, a showerhead—capable of delivering, at least in part, hot water to a user forbathing.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the same exemplary fixture as thatdiscussed with reference to FIG. 1, shown deploying a shower of water.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the same exemplary fixture as thatdiscussed with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, in connection with anexemplary hot water tank and delivery system.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the same exemplary fixture as thatdiscussed with reference to FIGS. 1-3, in connection with an exemplaryhot water tank and delivery system implementing some waste heatreduction and water recapturing aspects of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the same exemplary fixture as thatdiscussed with reference to FIGS. 1-3, in connection with anotherembodiment of an exemplary hot water tank and delivery system,implementing additional waste heat and water recapturing aspects of thepresent invention.

FIG. 6 is a side view of a section of specialized, heat-capturingplumbing pipe, as may be used to implement aspects of the presentinvention.

FIG. 7 is a side view of an exemplary section of new form of hot waterdelivery pipe 701 that provides flash heating of cold water in a hotwater pipe just prior to delivery, reducing wasteful hot water cooling,in accordance with aspects of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a partially cutaway perspective view of a specialized,exemplary shower head and hot water tank and delivery system,implementing constant-on hot water aspects to reduce or eliminatedrawbacks of a system such as that set forth with reference to FIGS. 3-5and 7, above, in accordance with additional aspects of the invention.

FIG. 9 depicts an exemplary GUI for a user of a system in accordancewith aspects of the present invention, comprising a “final rinse”control.

FIG. 10 depicts another form of GUI associated with a water servicefaucet 1001, using conventional user behavior, to perform a cleaningand/or antiseptic aspects of the present invention, relative to afixture control.

FIG. 11 depicts an exemplary shower head 1101 under lower than optimalpressure, as discussed in greater detail above, with reference to FIG.8.

FIG. 12 is a schematic block diagram of some elements of an exemplarycontrol system that may be used in accordance with aspects of thepresent invention.

FIG. 13 is a perspective drawing of a fungible section of a continuallysterilizing antiseptic surface.

FIG. 14 is a front view of an exemplary surface composed of fungiblesections of continually sterilizing antiseptic sections, such as theexemplary section set forth in FIG. 13, above.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary fixture 101—namely, ashower head—capable of delivering, at least in part, hot water to a userfor bathing. As with many existing shower heads, shower head 101comprises a plurality of jets capable of releasing water when adequatelypressurized with water, such as those examples given as 103. A watersupply pipe 105 is connected, and able to deliver such water pressure,to shower head 101, and through jets 103, overhead a user, providing heror him with a waterfall for bathing. Pipe 105 is shown entering a wallthrough a mounted and/or decorative bracket 107.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the same exemplary fixture (now 201) asthat discussed with reference to FIG. 1, shown deploying a shower ofwater for a user. Each water jet (such as those examples now shown as203) now releases a stream or series of droplets of water, such as thoseexamples shown as 209, which are then pulled downward and/or away fromjets with gravity and/or the force of water pressure, as guided by thehollow inner contours of the jets. Again, the water pressure—now shownbeing supplied—emanates from the attached pipe, now 205.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the same exemplary fixture (now 301) asthat discussed with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, in connection with anexemplary hot water tank 311 and delivery system 300. Although notdepicted, system 300 may comprise a power supply and control system,such as that discussed with reference to FIG. 11, below, for carryingout water heating, with a comprised settable thermostat 313, and hotwater delivery through a hot water delivery pipe 315. For convenience,the entire length of delivery pipe 315, and all of its turns, are notdepicted in FIG. 3 and, instead, an elision is made at point 317 (on theleft hand side, from the perspective of the figure) and point 318 (onthe right-hand side). Another elision is shown at point 319, to avoidunnecessary depiction of the entire water supply pipe 321, supplyingwater to tank 311. Upon receiving tap water from supply pipe 321, tank311 may begin to heat that water, if thermostat 313 indicates that itsinternal water temperature is too low, according to its set level,using, for example, a burner, flash heating element, or both (notpictured).

Fixture 301 is, as in FIG. 2, shown supplying streams or droplet series,now shown as examples 309, after a hot water service knob (or othercontrol) has been turned on by a user. When that occurs, a pump or otherwater pressure created in the system 300, or outside the system, causeshot water to flow from tank 311, through pipes 315 and 305, and out ofthe shower head jets, such as those examples now shown as 303. Thiswater flow is shown by flow arrow 310.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the same exemplary fixture as thatdiscussed with reference to FIGS. 1-3, (now 401) in connection with anew exemplary hot water tank 411 and delivery system 400 implementingsome waste heat reduction and water recapturing aspects of the presentinvention. For convenience, the latter two digits of each numberedaspect in FIG. 4 are the same as those of similar aspects set forthabove, in reference to FIG. 3. For example, a hot water delivery pipe isset forth as 415. However, unlike hot water delivery pipe 315, from FIG.3, hot water delivery pipe 415 includes a recapture-permitting valve431, which variably permits air or another gas (e.g., argon or anothernoble gas, to prevent corrosion) to enter, as shown by flow arrow 436.To control the timing and effect of such variably-permitted entry,system 400 may comprise a control system 433, which may be such as, butnot limited to, the hardware and/or software control system set forthbelow, with reference to FIG. 12.

For example, as mentioned above with reference to FIG. 3, as a usershowers using hot water, that hot water may flow from tank 411 into pipe315, and out of the shower head 401, as shown by water flow arrow 410,also shown as flow sequence (1)—the first of two flow directions. Uponfinishing a shower using shower head 401, a user may shut off the hotwater, using a control knob or GUI (not pictured) for actuating thecontrol system 433 and/or hot water delivery from tank 411. Whereas inmost home plumbing systems, hot water would then remain in the hot waterdelivery pipe, the control system 403 of system 400 may, instead,actuate valve 431, and/or a pump or other valve or stop (not pictured)to cause/permit unused hot water in pipe 415 to return to tank 411, asshown by flow arrow 435, also shown as flow sequence (2), and air toenter pipe 415, as shown in flow sequence (3), to fill the resultingvacuum. As the hot water returns to tank 411, a one-way valve 437 mayprevent water flow 435 from passing into an open channel, from whichwater flow 410 emanated. During outflow, in flow sequence (1), flow 410was able to pass through that channel because one-way valve 437 waspushed by that flow into another orientation, rotating on an axis/joint439. But as flow 435 returns to tank 411, it is forced away from theopen exit channel by valve 437 and, instead, may enter a filtration,purification and/or conditioning element (which may, in someembodiments, also heat returning water flow 410) before permitting it toenter tank 411. The control system may, in some embodiments, close valve431, and/or other valves or halt pumping at or closer to tank 411, toprevent new hot water from entering pipe 415 unless and until it issummoned by a user and/or the control system. The control system mayalso sense when all available hot (or, at least, elevated temperaturefrom the temperature of incoming supply pipe 421) water has returned totank 411, and seal the inlet for flow 435. In some embodiments, the tank411 may begin to supply positive pressure, with a completely sealedoutflow at the tank, for example, using, in part an actuable valvecovering the entire outflow connection to pipe 415.

In a subsequent sequence step (not pictured), the control system and/oruser may again command hot water delivery at shower head 401, using thecontrol system and/or hot water tap control—for example, by using alocal control GUI, accessible to the user, or with which the user mayenter settings causing the system to make such a command (e.g., dailyroutine information or behavioral detection by the control system). Atthat point, preferably, the control system opens (if closed) valve 431'supward opening port (within the wall) to pipe 415 and, preferably,closes another opening of pipe 415 that faces the shower head 401, andbegins to send new hot water into pipe 415. As this occurs, the gas heldin pipe 415 empties into the wall or, in some embodiments, the roomcomprising the shower head 401. In any embodiment, however, when hotwater arrives at valve 431, valve 431 shuts the opening of pipe 415 inthe wall and opens the opening facing the shower head 401. In someembodiments, the control system may sense water arrival, and actuatevalves to carry out aspects of the invention. But, in other embodiments,a medium-specific reacting valve(s) may obviate the need for the controlsystem to activate such valve(s). To absorb axial impact from rapidlyrushing water, an expansion joint and/or axial bellows may be added to alength of pipe 415, or in communication with pipe 415.

System 400 may comprise a user-actuable user interface, such as GUI 481,connected to, powered by and capable of communicating with, the controlsystem, and which may comprise, as pictured, an alphanumeric keypadand/or LCD display, or may have any other hardware known in the art forcreating a GUI. In addition, control system 433 may be wirelesslyconnected with a network and other network aspects capable of deliveringa GUI to a user, such as a smartphone or PDA, via wireless antenna 483.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the same exemplary fixture as thatdiscussed with reference to FIGS. 1-3 (now 501), in connection withanother embodiment of an exemplary hot water tank 511 and deliverysystem 500, implementing additional waste heat and water recapturingaspects of the present invention. System 500 is similar to system 400and, as with FIG. 4 with respect to FIG. 3, in FIG. 5, for convenience,the latter two digits of each numbered aspect in FIG. 5 are the same asthose of similar aspects set forth above, in reference to FIG. 4. Aswith FIG. 4, system 500 may comprise a control system 533, which, as inFIG. 4, orchestrates the sensing and control of particular water/fluidflows through a hot water delivery pipe 515. However, rather thanvoiding the hot water delivery pipe 515 of water, and filling it withair, system 500 instead may use a cold water service pipe 516 to pushand/or replace hot water that is taken from pipe 515 into tank 511. Insufficiently hot environments, or in other circumstances where thetemperature in the walls of the building or pipes exceeds thetemperature of the water supply for tank 511, additional water,replacing the hot water returned to tank 511 may, itself, becomesufficiently elevated that the system 500 derives an energy and/or homecooling benefit from retracting even at least some of that water intotank 511. The amount of elevation and water to so take in for easedheating, within tank 511, may be optimized based on the energy cost (ifany) of so permitting that additional water flow. In colderenvironments, hot water may be pumped into the hot water supply pipe 515and, in some embodiments, into a cold water supply pipe, to aid inheating the home. However, in such circumstances, an improved form ofpipe is preferred, which will be set forth with reference to FIG. 6,below.

FIG. 6 is a side view of a section of specialized, heat-capturingplumbing pipe 601, as may be used to implement aspects of the presentinvention. A side 603 (of pipe 601) facing the viewer (the direction ofthe positive z axis) and on a plane running parallel with an inner pipesection 605, is substantially flat or otherwise shaped and/or designedto accommodate, abut, and/or control the orientation of pipe 601relative to, an inner side of a wall in which it is installed. Anotherside, 607, opposite to side 603, comprises a heat-insulating and/or-reflecting material, that, preferably so insulates and reflects heat inthe direction toward side 603, is also provided. A wall anchor 609 maybe connected, periodically, to side 607, or another aspect of pipe 601,and may control the orientation and rotation of pipe 601 relative to thesurrounding building walls. An optional screw-actuated or other control611 of the anchor 609's stem 613 may connect with a ratcheting mechanismand/or translational gearing (not pictured) that may cause inner pipesection 605, pipe 601 and/or insulating/reflecting wall 605, to rotaterelative to the wall and/or one another, and change the angle ofreflected and/or insulated heat. Control 611 may be user- or, as withother actuable aspects of the invention, system-actuable.

For example, in hot locations and times, a user and/or the system mayrotate the heat-capturing, insulating and/or reflecting wall, or anothersuch layer, wherever situated on or about the pipe 601, to cause it toface outward, away from the building. In cold locations and times, auser and/or the system may reverse that rotation, until theheat-capturing, insulating and/or reflecting wall, or another suchlayer, faces inward, retaining building heat.

In some embodiments, stem 613 and control 611 may bevariably-extendable, to create a variably tight fit and properorientation of pipe 601 for various applications (e.g., wall widths).

FIG. 7 is a side view of an exemplary section of new form of hot waterdelivery pipe 701 that provides flash heating of cold water in a hotwater pipe just prior to delivery, reducing wasteful hot water cooling,in accordance with aspects of the present invention. Unlike with otherflash and point-of-use heating devices, pipe 701 has a low profile, andmay be used in place of a length of pipe that is already required tobridge the distance from a water heater and a fixture serviced by hotwater from that tank. A heating element 703, which is preferablybaffled, ciliated, folded or otherwise surface area-enhanced, heatswater as it passes from the pipe section inlet 705, which may beconnected to ordinary water supply pipe of substantially the gauge ofthe inlet channels water toward the leading edge of element 703 as itflows toward a serviced fixture, to the right. Preferably, element 703is semi-porous and/or contains stream-lined inlet scoops 707, toincrease surface area further, for heat exchange. Element 703 may beconnected to, powered and controlled by, a control system, such as thecontrol system set forth with reference to FIG. 12, below.Alternatively, element 703 may be powered by a more local power source,such as a local electrical service, to decrease unnecessary wiringresistance, through wires (not pictured) or other transmission. Element703 may comprise any flash heating elements known in the art, including,but not limited to, copper heating coils, to heat water as it passes.

Preferably, heating pipe section 701 includes an increased width insofaras heating element 703 occupies a part of its inner diameter, to reducephysical resistance while maintaining good contact between the heatingelement 703 and water flowing through and around it, as that waterprogresses from inlet 705 to the fixture, through an outlet 709.

FIG. 8 is a partially cutaway perspective view of a specialized,exemplary shower head 801 and hot water tank and delivery system 800,implementing constant-on hot water aspects to reduce or eliminatedrawbacks of a system such as that set forth with reference to FIGS. 3-5and 7, above, in accordance with additional aspects of the invention.System 800 is similar to system 500 and, as with FIG. 5 with respect toFIG. 4, in FIG. 8, for convenience, the latter two digits of eachnumbered aspect in FIG. 8 are the same as those of similar aspects setforth above, in reference to FIG. 5. A cutaway 891 shows an inner wateroutlet 893, serviced by pipe 805, and its concentrically-held variablydescending/ascending rounded-tipped spray modification piece 895. Spraymodification piece 895 preferably comprises an axiallyexpanding/contracting stem 897, which, preferably, is user adjustable,and, even more preferably, adjusts to be at a maximum flow rate when aselected temperature by the user matches the delivered temperature ofthe water being served. However, as the water temperature descends belowthe desired temperature, stem 897 contracts, bringing modification piece895 upward, and tighter against inner water outlet 893. The net resultof this activity is that, as the delivered water temperature indicatesthat the system 800 cannot meet the demand for hot water, specializedshower head 801 reduces the amount of water emitted, to give the systeman opportunity to heat more water and deliver it—i.e., “catch up” withthe demand from the user.

At this point, we will turn briefly to FIG. 11, to explain furtheraspects of the exemplary shower head 801 and system 800. As waterpressure descends, typically, water emitted from a shower head, such asthat pictured as 1101, tends to pool and become more concentrated in acentral region 1111, as opposed to outer regions of the shower headplane 1113. As a result, the descending water streams/droplets 1109 tendto be of a far narrower breadth than when the shower head is underheavier pressure.

As shower head 801 begins emitting a lower pressure, due to reduced hotwater availability, it combats this effect with new improvements. Owingto its rounded profile and interface, spray modification piece 895creates an increasingly outward spray, the tighter it is pulled againstthe inner outlet 893. This, by itself, serves to increase the flow atthe outside edge of the shower head. In addition, however, trenches orwalls, such as the example shown as 899, which are preferably rounded ontheir inner side, and flat or barbed on their outer side, serve to aidin retaining the water at those outer reaches of the shower head.

FIG. 9 depicts an exemplary GUI 904 for a user of a system in accordancewith aspects of the present invention, comprising a “final rinse”control. To assist a hot water deployment and management system, such asthat discussed with reference to FIG. 5, above, a user may indicate whenhe or she is nearly done showering, which time to the end of showeringmay be adjusted by the user and/or system's experience. A user maydepress such an indicator button 921, and an indicator light 923 mayconfirm to the user that he or she has indicated a “Final Rinse” time isbeginning. The system then continues to deliver hot water until the useris finished, and may record the time it took the user to rinse. Thattime may then be used by the system to optimize the lead time forreplacing outgoing hot water, from a service line, with cold water,obviating the need to pull back hot water into the tank to avoid heatloss through pipes in the walls—which other approaches were discussed ingreater detail, above. To so replace outgoing hot water with cold, aswitch may be actuated by the system at the hot water tank

FIG. 10 depicts another form of GUI associated with a water servicefaucet 1001 using conventional user behavior, to perform a cleaningand/or antiseptic aspects of the present invention, relative to afixture control. As a user washes his or her hands, face or other thingsin a sink he or she will naturally first handle the faucet handles, suchas those shown as 1003. To aid in sanitizing the handles 1003,antiseptic, soap and/or rinsing spray nozzles or spigots 1005 may flowfrom and cover the touched surfaces of handles 1003 a short time before,during, and/or upon completion of use of the faucet and/or sink orbathroom area. The source of such antiseptic, soap and/or rinse may be areservoir 1007, that may, in some embodiments, also service a separatesoap and/or antiseptic delivery tool. In other embodiments, thereservoir (or a separate, additional reservoir) may be pressurized bysome water pressure releasing into it, which pressurization may occurupon a user turning on the faucet handles (via a water inlet valveattached to and actuated by the faucet handles). In that embodiment,when the faucet handles are turned off, the valve releases pressure fromthe reservoir(s), and channels the flow out of the spigots and over thehandled surfaces, cleansing them. In an alternative embodiment, pores onthe surface of handles 1003 exude such antiseptic, soap and/or rinsing,rather than spraying it—either by osmotic, wicking forces or pumpeddelivery, which may be similarly timed. In one embodiment, a controlsystem comprising such pumps servicing such pores also comprises sensorsconfigured to detect when handles 1003 have been shut off by a user andtriggers the pumps to exude an antiseptic fluid through the pores orrinsing spray nozzles after that time (optionally, after a delay.)Alternatively, to aid in effectuating the desired timing, a plumbingconduit, such as a valved channel that opens with the rotation of thehandles 1003, may drive the actuation of nozzles 1005 at a point justbefore the off position of the faucet handles, leading to a brief sprayor exuding of the antiseptic, soap and/or rinsing onto the handles.

Any of the embodiments discussed above may be applied in a wide varietyof additional contexts, such as elevator GUI buttons and everyday doorhandles.

FIG. 11 depicts an exemplary shower head 1101 under lower than optimalpressure, as discussed in greater detail above, with reference to FIG.8.

FIG. 12 is a schematic block diagram of some elements of an exemplarycontrol system 1200 that may be used in accordance with aspects of thepresent invention, such as, but not limited to, actuating sensors,pumps, motors, water and waste heat recapturing systems, and otheractuators in connection with system functions, and for receiving, andtaking actions based on user commands or other behavior, such as controlsterilization actions. The generic and other components and aspectsdescribed herein are not exhaustive of the many different systems andvariations, including a number of possible hardware aspects andmachine-readable media that might be used, in accordance with thepresent invention. Rather, the system 1200 is described to make clearhow aspects may be implemented. Among other components, the system 1200includes an input/output device 1201, a memory device 1203, storagemedia and/or hard disk recorder and/or cloud storage port or connectiondevice 1205, and a processor or processors 1207. The processor(s) 1207is (are) capable of receiving, interpreting, processing and manipulatingsignals and executing instructions for further processing and foroutput, pre-output or storage in and outside of the system. Theprocessor(s) 1207 may be general or multipurpose, single- ormulti-threaded, and may have a single core or several processor cores,including, but not limited to, microprocessors. Among other things, theprocessor(s) 1207 is/are capable of processing signals and instructionsfor the input/output device 1201, analog receiver/storage/converterdevice 1219, analog in/out device 1221, and/or analog/digital or othercombination apparatus 1223 to cause a display, light-affecting apparatusand/or other user interface with active physical controls, such as a“Final Rinse” indicating control and/or hot water usage settings (as maybe comprised or partially comprised in a GUI) to be provided for use bya user on hardware, such as a personal computer monitor or PDA (PersonalDigital Assistant) screen (including, but not limited to, monitors ortouch- and gesture-actuable displays) or terminal monitor with a mouseand keyboard or other input hardware and presentation and input software(as in a software application GUI), and/or other physical controls.Alternatively, or in addition, the system, using processors 1207 andinput/output devices 1219, 1221 and/or 1223, may accept and exertpassive and other physical (e.g., tactile) user and environmental inputand output.

For example, and in connection with aspects of the invention discussedin reference to the remaining figures, the system may carry out anyaspects of the present invention as necessary with associated hardwareand using specialized software, including, but not limited to,controlling the flow and recapture of hot water, reversing ofvariable-direction heat shielding pipes, activating specialized flashheating elements and deploying sanitizing sweats, sprays and otherdevices. The system may also, among many other things described forcontrol systems in this application, respond to user, sensor and otherinput (for example, by a user-actuated GUI controlled by computerhardware and software or by another physical control) toactivate/deactivate specialized water and heat saving systems,end-of-use and/or beginning-of-use actions (such as Final Rinse andother functions). The system 1201 may also permit the user and/orsystem-variation of settings for any of those aspects, including but notlimited to the affects of user activity on modes of operation of thesystem, and send external alerts and other communications (for example,to users and administrators) via external communication devices, for anycontrol system aspect that may require or benefit from such external orsystem-extending communications.

The processor 1207 is capable of processing instructions stored inmemory devices 1203 and/or 1205 (and/or ROM or RAM), and may communicatewith any of these, and/or any other connected component, via systembuses 1275. Input/output device 1201 is capable of input/outputoperations for the system, and may include/communicate with any numberof input and/or output hardware, such as a computer mouse, keyboard,entry pad, actuable display, networked or connected second computer,other GUI aspects, camera(s) or scanner(s), sensor(s), sensor/motor(s),range-finders, GPS systems, receiever(s), transmitter(s),transceiver(s), transflecting transceivers (“transflecters”), antennas,electromagnetic actuator(s), mixing board, reel-to-reel tape recorder,external hard disk recorder (solid state or rotary), additional hardwarecontrols (such as, but not limited to, buttons and switches, andactuators, current or potential applying contacts and other transferelements, light sources, speakers, additional video and/or sound editingsystem or gear, filters, computer display screen or touch screen. It isto be understood that the input and output of the system may be in anyuseable form, including, but not limited to, signals, data,commands/instructions and output for presentation and manipulation by auser in a GUI. Such a GUI hardware unit and other input/output devicescould implement a user interface created by machine-readable means, suchas software, permitting the user to carry out any of the user settings,commands and input/output discussed above, and elsewhere in thisapplication.

1201, 1203, 1205, 1207, 1219, 1221 and 1223 are connected and able tocommunicate communications, transmissions and instructions via systembusses 1275. Storage media and/or hard disk recorder and/or cloudstorage port or connection device 1205 is capable of providing massstorage for the system, and may be a computer-readable medium, may be aconnected mass storage device (e.g., flash drive or other driveconnected to a U.S.B. port or Wi-Fi) may use back-end (with or withoutmiddle-ware) or cloud storage over a network (e.g., the internet) aseither a memory backup for an internal mass storage device or as aprimary memory storage means, or may simply be an internal mass storagedevice, such as a computer hard drive or optical drive.

Generally speaking, the system may be implemented as a client/serverarrangement, where features of the invention are performed on a remoteserver, networked to the client and made a client and server by softwareon both the client computer and server computer. Input and outputdevices may deliver their input and receive output by any known means ofcommunicating and/or transmitting communications, signals, commandsand/or data input/output, including, but not limited to, input throughthe devices illustrated in examples shown as 1217, such as 1209, 1211,1213, 1215, and 1277 and any other devices, hardware or otherinput/output generating and receiving aspects. Any phenomenon that maybe sensed may be managed, manipulated and distributed and may be takenor converted as input or output through any sensor or carrier known inthe art. In addition, directly carried elements (for example a lightstream taken by fiber optics from a view of a scene) may be directlymanaged, manipulated and distributed in whole or in part to enhanceoutput. It is to be understood that the system may use any form ofelectromagnetism, compression wave, heat or other phenomena that may besensed, and may include directional and 3D locational information, whichmay also be made possible by multiple locations of sensing, preferably,in a similar, if not identical, time frame. The system may condition,select all or part of, alter and/or generate composite data from all orpart of such direct or analog image or other sensory transmissions,including physical samples (such as DNA, fingerprints, iris, and otherbiometric samples or scans) and may combine them with other forms ofdata, such as image files, dossiers or metadata, if such direct or dataencoded sources are used.

While the illustrated system example 1200 may be helpful to understandthe implementation of aspects of the invention, it is understood thatany form of computer system may be used to implement many control systemand other aspects of the invention—for example, a simpler computersystem containing just a processor (datapath and control) for executinginstructions from a memory or transmission source. The aspects orfeatures set forth may be implemented with, and in any combination of,digital electronic circuitry, hardware, software, firmware, or in analogor direct (such as electromagnetic wave-based, physical wave-based oranalog electronic, magnetic or direct transmission, without translationand the attendant degradation, of the medium) systems or circuitry orassociational storage and transmission, any of which may be aided withenhancing media from external hardware and software, optionally, bywired or wireless networked connection, such as by LAN, WAN or the manyconnections forming the internet or local networks. The system can beembodied in a tangibly-stored computer program, as by a machine-readablemedium and propagated signal, for execution by a programmable processor.The method steps of the embodiments of the present invention also may beperformed by such a programmable processor, executing a program ofinstructions, operating on input and output, and generating output. Acomputer program includes instructions for a computer to carry out aparticular activity to bring about a particular result, and may bewritten in any programming language, including compiled and uncompiled,interpreted languages, assembly languages and machine language, and canbe deployed in any form, including a complete program, module,component, subroutine, or other suitable routine for a computer program.

The embodiments and aspects of the invention set forth above areexemplary, and many variations and groupings, which are virtuallyunlimited, still fall within the scope of the invention. For example,additional waste heat reclamation technology, such as convectivecoupling of waste water pipes, or efferent and return pipes, may beused, and a system may use behavioral recognition and timing to optimizea hybridization of the heating pipes and insulating pipes set forth inFIGS. 6 and 7, and a boiler system with them, to optimize hot waterdelivery. In other embodiments, a system may use sensors, calendars andtime-of-day of use to memorize, model or guess a user's schedule andfuture schedule, or an approximation thereof, to trigger any of theactions taken, as described in this application—such as, but not limitedto, initiating the return of hot water to a service pipe afterretraction, for use. In other aspects, a user's biometrics may be usedto further optimize the system for a given user, and a user's presentcondition, through common use sensors. For example, infra-red motiondetectors may track both the user's behavior and usage patterns, andbodily and ambient condition (e.g., ambient coldness, and amount of heatflux and loss from the user's body relative to the environment) todetermine an amount of hot water, or current, or hot water flux andbodily heating resulting therefrom, to establish comfort for a user at agiven moment entering or in a shower.

FIG. 13 is a perspective drawing of an exemplary fungible section 1301of a continually sterilizing antiseptic surface, in accordance withaspects of the present invention. As will be explained in greater detailbelow, in reference to FIG. 14, section 1301 may be placed in asurface-covering array, with several other, similar surface sections, tocover an area of any object that may be handled by a user, therebycreating a self-cleaning, antiseptic surface. Among other aspects,section 1301 may comprise a plurality of specialized ports, such as theexamples pictured as 1303, for exuding water or other antiseptic fluids.When section 1301, and/or a surface comprising a number of such sections(such as exemplary surface 1401) discussed below, is placed over thesurface of a object to provide an antiseptic barrier, one side—namely,side 1305—faces and covers the surface of the object while anotherside—namely, side 1307—faces outward, providing a new, antisepticsurface for the covered object.

Once in place over an object, section 1301 provides a new, protectivesurface over the object. And section 1301 may comprise a element,compound or other composition, structure and agent with anti-microbialproperties (e.g., silver, gold, copper, catalytic agents, otheranti-microbial agents, coating or doping). However, the antisepticproperties of section 1301 exceed those of such known, antimicrobialsurfaces, due to several additional aspects. First, as shown in across-section at exemplary port 1309 (which is partially encompassed bysection 1301, at its border), each port 1303 comprises a ramped innerchannel 1311, which narrows to a smaller, interior inlet 1313, facingside 1305. Also on side 1305, abutting each such smaller, interior inlet1313 of each port, is an absorbent, water-passing sponge material layer1315. Layer 1315 generally absorbs any fluid poured onto it, andexpresses that fluid if compressed, and may be made of any number oftraditional sponge materials. However, in addition, layer 1315 comprisesfluid-guiding channel walls, such as the examples pictured as channelwalls 1317. Channel walls 1317 are composed of a liquid-proof orliquid-resistant material (such as certain plastics, resins, rubber andpolymers) and resist the diffusion of fluids across them more greatlythan the other, surrounding sponge materials of layer 1315. Channelwalls 1317 serve to guide antiseptic fluids moving through layer 1315(e.g., via gravity, diffusion and compression) toward each port 1303 onthe object-facing side 1305. Each channel thus terminates at a port. Inaddition, each channel begins at a separate, dedicated entrance 1318 (orapproximately so) at an upward-facing edge 1319 of section 1301. In thisway, as fluids are poured into the top edge 1319 of section 1301, anapproximately equal amount of that fluid is channeled downward and tothe right (in the perspective of the figure) to each port 1303. Someopen areas 1320 of the leading edge 1319, and throughout the layer 1315,however, permit the straight downward passage of antiseptic fluids,which can exit through the bottom of section 1301 (in the perspective ofthe figure), and into a neighboring section (when placed in asurface-covering array, as discussed in greater detail in FIG. 14,below.) The proportion of open areas 1320 to channels 1317 within asection such as 1301 will depend on the positioning of the section in anarray, to achieve a uniform distribution of fluid supplied to each portof each section in such an array. The diffusion and gravitationalpressure of such fluids against the object-facing side of each portwithin a channel 1317 is generally not sufficient to cause the fluid tocompletely pass through the ramped inner channels 1311 and exit ports1303 at side 1307. However, when side 1307 is pressed, its rigid panelstructure, and free edges permit it to move toward side 1305,compressing layer 1315 further, and increasing the compression pressureof any fluids held within it. Compression spikes 1321 may be included atthe base of each port and abutting layer 1315, aiding in guiding andintensify that compression pressure toward inlet 1313. With that addedpressure, from a person pushing against or otherwise handling side 1307,the fluids will begin to enter the inlet, until they emerge at the topof ramped channel 1311. At that point, the fluid(s) begin a steadydescent, with gravity, exiting the ramped inner channel 1311 at side1307 of the port 1309, in a stream over time (after a person has handledthe surface). By selecting an antiseptic fluid of a particularviscosity, and with other particular reactions to stress, as well as bymodifying the size and slope of channel 1311, a precise length of timecan be selected for the antiseptic fluid to flow out of each port 1303,and cover the outer surface of side 1307, thereby washing anddisinfecting it. Preferably, and especially when using disinfectingfluids (such as water) requiring the time to penetrate bacterial cellwalls, the length of time that the fluid flows over or stands on thesurface of side 1307 exceeds 5 seconds. However, with other, morerapidly acting disinfecting fluids, such as those incorporatingchlorine, the flow and stand time prior to evaporation, can be farshorter. In the case of exceptionally small pore sizes (as in thenanometer range) a meniscus-breaking nib may be included at the lower,outer edge of port 1303, to aid in encouraging emerging droplets to flowout of the port during this process. The amount of fluid flowing out ofthe pores 1303 increases with the pressure and amount of surface 1307handling by a user, in a tapering, but proportionate function. As a userpresses against side 1307, there would be some risk of backflow withininner channels 1311 of each port 1303, especially if the user's skincreates a seal with the edge of a port. To combat that tendency, aninner matrix of smaller tubules 1323 allows the surface of side 1307 tobreathe with a plethora of distributed openings about the outer surfaceand within ports 1303. The matrix of tubules, sharing common passages1325, prevent such seals from occurring by allowing air within each port1303 to escape laterally into the matrix. To avoid antiseptic fluidsfrom escaping into the matrix, the size of the smaller tubules may bemade small enough to prevent larger compounds of the fluid to escape,while permitting smaller air molecules to enter. Alternatively, anyentrance to the matrix within each port can reside on an upper surface,where the fluid does not flow as greatly.

Ports 1303 preferably cover the surface of side 1307, but may beperiodically or randomly set at intervals away from one another, aspictured. Preferably, the spacing is not so great that, given thedroplet formation and other colligative properties of the antisepticfluid used, the fluid flow would miss any region of side 1307 during andafter outflow from the ports 1303.

FIG. 14 is a front view of an exemplary surface 1401 composed of anarray 1403 of fungible sections 1301, such as the exemplary section setforth in FIG. 13, above. As discussed in FIG. 13, antiseptic fluids canpass through the spongy layer of the object-facing sides of eachsection, and through to one another, in an approximately evendistribution covering an outer surface 1401 created by the array. Tosupply each of those sections, an upper filling port 1405 is provided.An administrator maintaining array 1403 may supply each port (notpictured) of each section by filling a reservoir 1407 underneath fillingport 1405. Reservoir 1407 may itself comprise a spongy material, or anopen vessel and, optionally, may be enclosed by a user with a lid (notpictured). To allow the flow of antiseptic fluid to each section,straight passages, as discussed in FIG. 13, above, may be provided atthe base of reservoir 1407. Optionally, channels may be provided withinreservoir 1407 to uniformly distribute the fluid to the channelentrances at the top edge 1319 of each section, as discussed above inreference to FIG. 13.

As with the antiseptic devices set forth with reference to FIG. 10,above, the surface devices set forth in reference to FIGS. 13 and 14 mayoptionally be controlled by a control system, such as the control systemset forth in FIG. 12, above, instead or in addition to the structuraltechniques set forth in FIGS. 13 and 14. More specifically, such acontrol system may comprise sensors, such as the examples pictured as1327, and pumps, such as the example pictured as 1329, configured tomove antiseptic fluid out of pores 1303, covering the outer surfacescovering objects, as set forth above, upon detecting the manual touchingof surface 1307 and 1401 (optionally, after a time delay measured by thecontrol system.)

Any of the embodiments discussed above may be applied in a wide varietyof contexts, such as elevator GUI buttons and everyday door handles.

I claim:
 1. An antiseptic device comprising: an outer surface on a firstside of said device, wherein said outer surface comprises at least oneport connected with antiseptic hardware; wherein said antiseptichardware comprises a reservoir and at least one movable panel,configured to move toward a second, inward-facing side of said device inreaction to pressure against said outer surface of said device; andwherein said antiseptic hardware comprises at least one channel,different from said at least one port, wherein said at least one channelcomprises liquid-proof or liquid-resistant fluid-guiding wallscomprising curved angles different from angles of walls of any of saidat least one port and configured to guide an antiseptic fluid to each ofsaid at least one port and from said reservoir.
 2. The antiseptic deviceof claim 1, comprising a filling port at or about the top of saidantiseptic device.
 3. The antiseptic device of claim 1, wherein saidreservoir comprises a spongy material configured to absorb, distributeand exude said antiseptic fluid.
 4. The antiseptic device of claim 3,wherein said spongy material is configured to exude said antisepticfluid through said at least one port when compressed.
 5. The antisepticdevice of claim 4, wherein said spongy material abuts and is attached tosaid movable panel, and is configured to be compressed by said movablepanel when said outer contact surface is touched by a user.
 6. Theantiseptic device of claim 5, wherein said spongy material abuts said atleast one channel configured to guide an antiseptic fluid to each ofsaid at least one port.
 7. The antiseptic device of claim 6, whereinsaid at least one port comprise at least part of a plurality of slopedinterior channels.
 8. The antiseptic device of claim 7, wherein said atleast one sloped interior channel are partially comprised in and/or atleast partially abutting the bottom of the interior of at least one ofsaid at least one port.
 9. A self-cleaning user interface device,comprising: a user-actuable moving part, wherein said user-actuablemoving part is configured for placement in at least an on position andan off position; a reservoir connected with said user-actuable movingpart; at least one port positioned above a handled surface of saiduser-actuable moving part; and a control system comprising sensorsconfigured to sense when said user-actuable moving part is placed insaid on position or said off position; wherein said control system isconfigured to release water or other antiseptic fluid, covering saidhandled surface, upon said sensors sensing that said user-actuatablemoving part has been placed in said off position.
 10. The self-cleaninguser interface device of claim 9, wherein said user-actuable moving partis configured to load and pressurize said reservoir, and wherein saidreservoir is configured to hold water or another antiseptic fluid whenplaced in said on position.
 11. The self-cleaning user interface deviceof claim 9, wherein said user-actuable moving part is configured torelease water or other antiseptic fluid, covering said handled surface,upon being placed in said off position, after a delay.
 12. Theself-cleaning user interface device of claim 9, wherein said controlsystem comprises pumps configured to pump antiseptic fluid out of saidat least one port.
 13. A method for providing an antiseptic surface foran object, comprising the following steps: attaching an antisepticdevice to said object, wherein said device comprises an outer surface ona first side of said device, wherein said outer surface comprises atleast one port connected with antiseptic hardware; wherein saidantiseptic hardware comprises a reservoir and at least one movablepanel, configured to move toward a second, inward-facing side of saiddevice in reaction to pressure against said contact surface of saiddevice; and wherein said antiseptic hardware comprises at least onechannel, different from said at least one port, wherein said at leastone channel comprises liquid-proof or liquid-resistant fluid-guidingwalls comprising curved angles different from angles of walls of any ofsaid at least one port and configured to guide an antiseptic fluid toeach of said at least one port and from said reservoir.
 14. The methodfor providing an antiseptic surface for an object of claim 13,comprising the following additional step: touching said outer contactsurface and moving said movable panel, causing said antiseptic fluid toescape from said at least one port and cover said outer contact surface.15. The method for providing an antiseptic surface for an object ofclaim 13, comprising the following additional step: refilling saidreservoir with said antiseptic fluid.